Communications delivery teams

In response to feedback from communications colleagues, NIHR senior leaders and DHSC, we have evolved how the central communications working groups are structured and operate. We made the change to ‘delivery teams’ to successfully fulfil the 25/26 communications plan and the forthcoming One NIHR communications strategy.

At the heart of this evolution is a guiding principle that we are  ‘One NIHR’. 

We are made up of many constituent parts, catering for multiple audiences, to deliver NIHR’s overall strategic objectives and NIHR’s overarching communications objectives, as set out in our annual plan and forthcoming Communications strategy. It is vital this is reflected in how we prioritise and deliver our communications. This is in line with communications guidance, issued in April 2024, setting out: “NIHR first, function follows”. 

Moving to delivery teams

NIHR comms working groups have now changed to ‘delivery teams’.  These are:

• New, overarching, Content delivery team (all content development – digital and non-digital) - led by Sarah Fryett and Alice Ford. This will encompass all existing content working groups and approaches (social, website, communicating impact), plus brand. 

• Strategic Communications and Campaigns delivery team - led by Lorraine Bridges

• Internal Communications delivery team - led by Hannah Stoneman

• Media Relations delivery team  - led by Yuba Bessaoud

• International Communications delivery team - led by Tarique Chowdhury

Resourcing 

Every communications team member from the Academy, CCF/Business Development and Collaborations, Maximising Impact and Public Partnerships, NETSCC and RDNCC component centres will be a member of a single delivery team. Each member of the delivery team gives 50% of their overall working time to deliver against the priorities of the team. 

Delivery team priorities 

The priorities of each delivery team have been set by the delivery lead, with Communications Programme Board members ‘sponsoring’ a delivery team and playing a pivotal role in embedding across NIHR communications and beyond. Priorities have been signed off by the Director of Communications, regularly reviewed and adapted as needed.

How to connect with our delivery teams

You can contact our delivery team leads if you have any questions about the way these teams work:

• Content: Alice Ford (alice.ford@nihr.ac.uk) and Sarah Fryett (sarah.fryett@nihr.ac.uk)

• Strategic Communications and Campaigns: Lorraine Bridges (lorraine.bridges@nihr.ac.uk)

• Internal Communications: Hannah Stoneman (hannah.stoneman@nihr.ac.uk)

• Media Relations: Yuba Bessaoud (yuba.bessaoud@nihr.ac.uk)

• International Communications: Tarique Chowdhury (tarique.chowdhury@nihr.ac.uk)